ChatFort: Secure Messenger

ChatFort is a private messenger for people whose conversations need to stay safe, and keep working when the internet is shut down. No phone number, no email, no account: just a name you choose.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No phone number, email or user ID. People can only reach you through a link or QR code you give them. • End-to-end encrypted messages, voice messages, photos, files and groups, with quantum-resistant encryption in direct chats. • End-to-end encrypted voice and video calls. • Incognito mode, multiple chat profiles and hidden profiles. • Disappearing messages, and security codes to check that no one is listening in. • No ads and no analytics. Notifications work without Google services. • Tor support through a SOCKS proxy, for example Orbot.

IF YOUR PHONE IS TAKEN • App lock with its own passcode, after a delay you choose. • Self-destruct code: a second passcode that wipes everything and opens an empty app. • Emergency Wipe: one tap deletes all messages, contacts, files and keys. Also available from a Quick Settings tile. • Screen protection blocks screenshots and screen recording. • Notification previews are hidden by default.

SAFETY HUB • A security score and checklist to set up your protection step by step. • Emergency contacts: tell all your trusted people "I'm safe" with one tap. • Plain-language guides for internet shutdowns, secure communication and your digital rights.

WHEN THE INTERNET IS CUT: CROWD MESH • Messages pass from phone to phone over Bluetooth, up to 7 hops, roughly 100–300 m through a crowd. No internet or mobile network needed. • Your ChatFort contacts are found automatically, so you can keep messaging them offline. • Send photos and voice notes to your contacts and teams over Bluetooth. • Encrypted teams: phones passing the messages on can't read them. • Messages wait and are delivered when the other person comes into range. • Works with ChatFort on iPhone. • Crowd mesh "Everyone" messages are public. Use People or Teams for private talk.

ENGLISH AND اردو • Full Urdu translation, with a one-tap language switch.

Built on the open-source SimpleX protocol. ChatFort's relays keep no accounts, contact lists or chat histories, and you can add your own servers.

PERMISSIONS, requested only when needed • Camera: QR codes, photos and video calls. • Microphone: voice messages, voice notes and calls. • Notifications: message and call alerts. • Bluetooth and Nearby devices: the optional Crowd mesh and Nearby rooms. • Location: older Android versions require it for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct scanning. ChatFort doesn't use or send your location. • Foreground service: keeps the Crowd mesh running while it's on, with a notification and a Stop button. • Full-screen intent: incoming call alerts. • Battery optimisation exemption (optional): reliable background messages and Crowd mesh.

The privacy policy and terms are available in the app and at chatfort.app.